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African geologist network begins in Windhoek after mineral assessment training

African geologist network begins in Windhoek after mineral assessment training

The ability to asses mineral deposits and to draw meaningful conclucions on their value to African economies, formed the core of an extensive two-week Mineral Resources Assessment training for African geologists held in Windhoek earlier this month.

Twenty geologists from nine African countries attended the ambitious training programme of the PanAfGeo project to improve their understanding of mineral deposits (metal and non-metal), mineral resources assessment, promotion of mineral potential of a country, and the international mining industry.

The geologists now have a comprehensive understanding of how mineral deposits form, the principles of mineral resource assessment and the most advanced exploration methods. The training also included a module on the significance of a country’s extraction policies.

Between the classroom work, an excursion to marble and pegmatite quarries near Karibib was organised by the Geological Survey of Namibia (GSN). The deposits, mining methods and the trade of the commodities, were extensively discussed during and after the excursion.

The training period established the foundation for a continental network of professional geologists to improve peer to peer information exchange.

The trainers were Dr Pasi Eilu and Dr Hannu Makkonen from the Geological Survey of Finland and Dr Vickey Do Cabo, Mr Aphary Muyongo and Mr Michael Hambodi from the Geological Survey of Namibia.

For the first training session, nearly 80 applications were received, highlighting a deep interest in the subject and a need to increase geological assessment skills.

The second training period is scheduled for November this year in Nigeria.

The programme is co-funded by the European Union through its Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development and a Consortium of twelve European Geological Surveys led by BRGM-French Geological Survey.

About The Author

Mandisa Rasmeni

Mandisa Rasmeni has worked as reporter at the Economist for the past five years, first on the entertainment beat but now focussing more on community, social and health reporting. She is a born writer and she believes education is the greatest equalizer. She received her degree in Journalism at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in June 2021. . She is the epitome of perseverance, having started as the newspaper's receptionist in 2013.